What are protein C and protein S exams?
These exams measure the degrees of protein C and protein S in your blood. Protein C and protein S exams are two separate exams which can be usually accomplished on the identical time.
Protein C and protein S work collectively to forestall your blood from clotting an excessive amount of. Usually, your physique makes blood clots to cease bleeding after a reduce or different harm. If you do not have sufficient protein C (protein C deficiency) or sufficient protein S (protein S deficiency), your blood can clot greater than you want it to. If this occurs, you might get a clot that partly or utterly blocks blood movement in a vein or artery. These clots can type within the legs and arms and journey to your lungs. When a blood clot types within the lungs it is referred to as a pulmonary embolism. This situation is life-threatening.
Protein C and protein S deficiencies will be delicate or extreme. Some folks with delicate deficiencies by no means have a harmful blood clot. However sure elements can enhance the chance. These embody surgical procedure, being pregnant, sure infections, and prolonged durations of inactivity, similar to being on an extended airline flight.
Protein C and protein S deficiencies are generally inherited (handed down out of your mother and father), or will be acquired later in life. Testing might assist discover methods to forestall the formation of clots, no matter how you bought the deficiency.
Different names: protein C antigen, protein S antigen
What are they used for?
Protein C and protein S exams are used to diagnose clotting problems. If exams present you could have a protein C or a protein S deficiency, there are medicines and way of life adjustments you can also make to scale back your threat of clots.
Why do I want protein C and protein S exams?
You could want these exams when you have sure threat elements. You could be at greater threat of a protein C or a protein S deficiency in case you:
What occurs throughout protein C and protein S testing?
A well being care skilled will take a blood pattern from a vein in your arm, utilizing a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small quantity of blood might be collected right into a take a look at tube or vial. You could really feel just a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This normally takes lower than 5 minutes.
Will I must do something to arrange for the take a look at? – “s protein test”
Your well being care supplier might let you know to keep away from sure medicines for a number of days or longer earlier than your take a look at. Blood thinners, medicines that stop clots, can have an effect on your outcomes.
Are there any dangers to the take a look at?
There may be little or no threat to having a blood take a look at. You might have slight ache or bruising on the spot the place the needle was put in, however most signs go away rapidly.
What do the outcomes imply?
In case your outcomes present low ranges of protein C or protein S, you might be susceptible to a harmful clot. Whereas there isn’t any treatment for protein C and protein S deficiencies, there are methods to scale back your threat of clots.
Your well being care supplier will make a therapy plan based mostly in your outcomes and well being historical past. Your therapy might embody medicines that make it more durable for the blood to clot. These embody blood thinning medicine referred to as warfarin and heparin. Your supplier can also suggest way of life adjustments, similar to not smoking and never utilizing contraception drugs.
You probably have questions on your outcomes, speak to your well being care supplier.
Study extra about laboratory exams, reference ranges, and understanding outcomes.
“s protein test”